The Smuntz brothers (Lane and Evans) inherit a run-down mansion from their wealthy string magnate father (Hickey, in his last role). Since the boys are involved in a bitter long-standing argument over cord versus twine, they're happy to learn about an offer from a preservation society for a small fortune. The boys try to fix up the house, only to be foiled by the mouse who had been the sole occupant. There are plenty of new mouse traps and tricks thanks to the 65 trained mice (along with 3-D animation) who play the hero. The plucky rodent must also battle a psychotic cat and an obsessed exterminator (Walken, or Lord High King Psycho). If you've ever laughed at a cartoon character taking an anvil to the head, you'll like this. The cartoon-like action livens up the otherwise dismal setting of the mansion and it's surroundings. Directorial debut by Verbinski, the man who brought you the Bud frogs.